BaggyTrousers wrote:I would not recognise Willard Burns if he appeared in my soup bowl. A wait and see signing in my book, I don't generally watch Lionel rugby so am unaware of ever having watched the bloke play.

I wish him well as back up to M'Phillips.

Burns will be first choice, he’s a good couple of years ahead and pretty talented. McPhillips is also an English blow in, he just blew in a good while ago so we all feel a little more invested in him.

Yes Legs, I'm sure you are right, I was being a tad tongue in cheek. I do hope he is worth stalling the careers of M'Phillips and Lowry for, remains to be seen.

This being Ulster, I’m pretty sure at least 2 of them will be injured at any given time. I’d put a fiver on Nelson and Cooney both having to play out half at least twice this season (and I haven’t forgotten Curtis either).

Something I'd very interested to know is how this deal came about. The possibilities I can think of are:1. Billy, unhappy at the signing of Danny Cipriani asked his agent to have a look around2. Ulster proactively researched available options and made an approach thinking he was the best man for the job3. DH having signed Cipriani for next year and aware of our woes, got in touch on the quiet to suggest a move. Possibly with the aim of freeing up room in Gloucester's salary cap for another position with plenty of cover at ten.

MightyRearranger wrote:Something I'd very interested to know is how this deal came about. The possibilities I can think of are:1. Billy, unhappy at the signing of Danny Cipriani asked his agent to have a look around2. Ulster proactively researched available options and made an approach thinking he was the best man for the job3. DH having signed Cipriani for next year and aware of our woes, got in touch on the quiet to suggest a move. Possibly with the aim of freeing up room in Gloucester's salary cap for another position with plenty of cover at ten.

Could be a combo of all 3 but I have a feeling that it has Nucifora/joes fingerprints all over it rather than Ulster’s